Holly Street Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Holly Street Bridge |
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|---|---|
| Coordinates | 34°08′55″N 118°09′56″W / 34.148746°N 118.165426°W |
| Carries | 1 lane of Holly Street |
| Crosses | Arroyo Seco |
| Locale | Pasadena |
| Official name | Holly Street Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Linda Vista Bridge |
| Owner | City of Pasadena |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Concrete |
| Total length | 423 ft (129 m) |
| Height | 70 ft (21 m) |
| Longest span | 240 ft (73 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | W.C. Earle |
| Construction cost | $100,000 |
| Opened | 1925 |
The Holly Street Bridge is a cool concrete bridge in Pasadena, California. It crosses over the Arroyo Seco (Los Angeles County) riverbed. This bridge was designed by W.C. Earle, who was the city engineer. It replaced an older bridge from 1909. It is located just north of the famous Colorado Street Bridge.
A Bridge's Story
The First Bridge
Before the Holly Street Bridge, there was an older bridge called the Linda Vista Bridge, built in 1909. But even before it opened, people noticed problems. A photographer named George Wharton James saw parts of the bridge sagging and a big crack in the middle. He told city officials about it.
Because of these issues, the 1909 bridge was declared unsafe. It was later taken down by students from the California Institute of Technology.
Building the New Bridge
The new bridge opened to the public on April 11, 1925. At first, it was also known as the Linda Vista Bridge. Building this bridge cost about $100,000. At the time, people thought it was the longest and highest concrete bridge in the western United States. Alvin LeVan was the engineer in charge of its construction.
Over the years, the bridge has been a part of the local community. It has also been the site of some accidents. In 2019, the City of Pasadena planned a project to make the Holly Street Bridge stronger against earthquakes. This is because the bridge is considered to need structural improvements.
Bridge Design
The Holly Street Bridge has a special "open spandrel" design. This means it has open spaces above the main arches. It also has a Neoclassical style, which is similar to other bridges in the Arroyo Seco area.
The bridge features fancy concrete railings and old-fashioned lights. It has a large arch in the center. The Holly Street Bridge is 423 feet long and 70 feet high. Its main arch spans 240 feet. This bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places because of its importance and design.
Gallery
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A view of the Holly Street Bridge.
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A plaque describing the Linda Vista Bridge.
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The Holly Street Bridge being built in 1925.
